Decisions...

[Bobby]

I'm looking for a 4Runner and I came across this site. Lots of good info here so I didn't think I would post much but I have a problem now that I'm ready to pull the trigger.

I'm looking for a Stratosphere Mica Sport 4x4. The local dealer has an 04 v8 Sport in black but I can get it for under $30k. I wasn't really looking for a v8 until I read here that the mpg is about the same for the v6 and v8. I talked to another dealer and the guy said he can get a S. Mica Sport v6 4x4 by the end of the month for $31k.

So... My question to the collective wisdom of this group is...

Do I get the 04 in a color I don't really want but the v8 and a great price _OR_ do I go for the 05 in the color I want with a v6 and pay $1k more?

-Bobby

 

[Good Times]

get what you want. you don't want to regret the purchase down the line so if blue is what you want, find a blue and buy that one.

also the 05's v8 will have more hp too so that might be something to reconsider.

good luck

 

[PMac]

Another thing to consider is the V6 is multi-mode 4wd, whereas the V8 is fulltime 4wd.

 

[skategoat]

And the '03-'04 V8 takes regular gas and the V6 takes premium.

Don't know about the '05.

 

[boston_kevin]

Don't forget he is probably talking about an '04 V8 and an '05 V6. So for an extra grand up front, you get the advantage of not getting hit with the instant depreciation of taking the '04 (which is about 3k). You also get some extra features in the '05 (little things here and there) that you might not get with the '04.

Gas mileage wise, my first tank with my V6 was about 20mpg (hand calculated). Gas mileage typically gets better with age, so I do expect that to improve slightly. V8's average around 16mpg. This is using regular octane gas. V6 does not require premium.

 

[chiefiji]

reiterating what good times said, get what will make YOU happiest in the long run. if youre not in a rush and REALLY want a Stratosphere Mica Sport 4x4 you might want to try faxing a bunch of dealers in your area and see what they have.

 

[DaveS]

I think you will find a 5 speed 2005 V6 in 2wd mode will drink less gas than the 2004 V8 in full time 4wd mode and the current V6 - the main reason to consider the V6 imho.

All that said, you might as well accept that this thing is going to drink gas whichever you get - choosing between the two models based on gas consumption alone is probably not the way to go. If you want great gas mileage you might want to wait until January for the Toyota Highlander Hybrid but accept that there are compromises down that road too.

I am biased and would recommend you test drive the V8 - it is just so smooth and quiet with a lot of go in the low revs- that said its a tough choice when its not clear yet how smooth shifting the new V6 5speed will be. My guess is the new 5 speed will even the playing field there - which is probably why they have boosted the power on the 2005 V8 to still make it something special over the V6.

Like Good times said - I would give some serious thought to the 2005 V8 and see what the dealer might be able to do for you on one of those as well..

Best of luck with your decision

 

[JungleJim]

I agree with the other posts...get what you want. Why pay $30,000 and not get exactly what you want? It just doesn't make sense. I don't understand the people who go to the dealer and just get whatever color they have on the lot.

Make sure you are happy with your purchase

 

[ToolmanJohn]

Get what you want

JungleJim, get EXACTLY what you want. Make sure the vehicle suits your needs, not the salesmans'. If the color is an important part of ownership for you, get the right color by all means. You will probably own the truck for years, don't kick yourself in the A$$ later on.

I also have to comment on the fuel octane misconception.


The V6 takes regular, 87 octane, without a problem at all. Toyota only recommaneds premium for improved performance (example, towing heavy loads in hilly terrain.) The misconception that premium fuel is somehow "better" has been debunked. Just so everyone knows, fuel ENGINEERS admit that higher octane fuel can not increase gas mileage and is a waste of money if your vehicle does not require it.

If your manual states " the minumum octane that should be used is ______" then use that, unless you tow, or really want to toss money away. The brand fuel sold at any one gas station contains the SAME additives and cleaners from the lowest octane to their premium fuel.

"High" performance engines with higher compression ratios, forced induction motors (turbo, S/C ) can knock and ping because of pre-detonation, without higher octane fuel. Lower octane fuel is actually "more" flamable, and will start to burn before the cylinder reaches the proper timing angle, even before the spak plug can ignite it, whereas high octane fuel resists pre-detonation from being ccompressed in the piston chamber.

If your vehicle does not knock and ping (and I haven't heard a modern car do it in years), then why spend the dough on premium fuel? And don't believe anything a salesman tells you, verify it in the manual, or research online. Salespeople will say a lot of things to sell a vehicle, and attribute it to faulty memory. If they have a lot of V8's on the lot then, yeah, the V6's need premium fuel!! But check out the V8, it doesn't!! LOL!!!

 

[Hitman]

And the '03-'04 V8 takes regular gas and the V6 takes premium.

Don't know about the '05.

Huh?

My owner's manual says that I can use regular or premium gas in my V6 4Runner.

 

[bulldog-yota]

A couple of quick questions:
1) What do you want to use it for? Normal driving, towing, off roading?
2) Is it an 05 V6 with 5 speed tranny vs 04 V8?

If you only use it for driving around and it's an 05 V6, probably go for the V6. If you tow, off road or if it is an 04 V6 get the V8, the extra torque will make a big difference in towing and offroading (specially when you upsize tires later and add heavy equipmnt and lifts, etc.)

 

[jjjheimer]

You want the V8 - torque is your friend. You're buying an SUV and you care about gas mileage? Besides, black behooves you to keep it clean.

 

[Bobby]

Thanks for all the input everyone.

bulldog-yota -
1) I'll use it mostly for daily driving and going snowboarding. I doubt I'll tow anything with it. Possibly some very light off-roading.
2) Yep. I might not have a choice on the 04 V8 since I didn't see it on the lot last time I drove by.

jjjheimer - Gas mileage has been on my mind since it's been $2+/gal. Not a major consideration but something to think about. I had a black car once and hated it. It shows every speck of dirt on it. Also, after a few months/years, you start seeing swirls and scratches easily. I know Strat. Mica is a dark color too but I like it better .

Since the 05's are just starting to come in, the Strat. Mica is one of the rarer colors now (12 out of 200something in the country as of last week) Toyota is getting 2 shipments a month on 4Runners so if they can't get one, I'll have to wait for the next shipment.

I went to a 4th dealer and they had a brand new '03 V8 sport on the showroom floor. The salesman was a jerk so I walked out. Not that I was going to buy the 03 but it was interesting they even had it.

-Bobby

 

[Coho]

Get the v6

I'd just get the V6... Unless you are towing a big (4000-5000#) boat, the v8 is overkill.

For 2004 the six is rated at 245 hp, 282 foot pounds of torque -- that is more than most competitors entry level v8's, and dwarfs the power of the previous generation Runner (183 and 217). The v8 is 235 and 320.

The v8 is a great, silky smooth engine, but unless you need the torque for towing, I'd stick with the six and save a little $$ on gas. At highway speeds, I doubt you could tell much difference between them.

 

[boston_kevin]

go for the V6

and stay away from the '03 Runners... First year of the redesign, there were a few issues that were resolved in '04 and now even better in '05.

The V6 has plenty of power to get up and going around town and up and down the hills.

Quote from Rockcrawler.com:
"If your goal is speedy throttle response and zipping around town, then believe it or not, the less-expensive, lighter-weight V6 should be your engine of choice. If you plan on towing 5,000 pounds then the 4.7L V8 is the way to go. The familiar iron block and aluminum head i-Force V8 is the same motor currently offered in Sequoias, Tundras, and Land Cruisers. V8 models weigh in at 130 pounds more than their V6 counterparts and get an estimated 15/19 mpg in the 4WD models. "

 

[jjjheimer]

Gas mileage has been on my mind since it's been $2+/gal. Not a major consideration but something to think about. I had a black car once and hated it. It shows every speck of dirt on it. Also, after a few months/years, you start seeing swirls and scratches easily....-Bobby [/B]

Gas is $2.55/gallon here and the solution to your swirls and scratches is zaino.

 

[Bouncnb]

BTW, Bobby......what is the price for gas in NJ. I am moving there and would like to know how much I should offer for my right arm to pay for gas.

 

[Hitman]

BTW, Bobby......what is the price for gas in NJ. I am moving there and would like to know how much I should offer for my right arm to pay for gas.

Jersey happens to be pretty good for gas prices. I live in New York, but only about 5 miles from the New Jersey border, so I always gas up there because of far cheaper prices.

Last time I paid $1.74/gallon for regular unleaded. Premium unleaded was only $1.94/gallon, which is not too bad these days...

 

[Hitman]

Check this out for gas prices anywhere in the US:

http://www.gaspricewatch.com/usgas_index.asp

 

[Bobby]

Triple j - I usually buy cars to drive the way they were designed for, not to spend time/money/grief polishing/waxing/q-tipping it. You should see my e36 M3, looks like doo doo but it handles like it's on rails.

Bouncnb - Not sure about regular but Super went up in the past few days and is around $2.15/gal.


I might wait a month or 2 before I buy. The dealers that have the 05s aren't willing to deal too much on it and want at least $1000 over invoice. Geez. It's a frickin Toyota and with the car market the way it is, they should be happy to sell it for $300 over invoice.

Maybe I should just buy it at CostCo.

-Bobby
Despises car salesmen